hesperus

my car's headlamps and running lamps are so peppered with fine stone chips that they almost look mildly sandblasted!

any products out there that can minimize this? i can't imagine they can be brought back to "as new" condition, but any reduction in the scratches and pitting would be desirable...

TIA!

Thomas Crown

You can always try to polish it with orbiter. I used to try this at my windshields and headlamps. Now, I just put clear 3M film over them as you can replace them easily. Headlight lamps are not cheap I heard as they sell as one piece with light housing and all... 02 cents

Brian S

After you buff them out, get some clear bra material covering them.

ThatOneGuy

3M makes headlight armor, good stuff, easy to apply.

sws1

Correct. I broke lens on my Xenon headlamp. $1400 to replace the entire light.

911/Q45

Repair really isn't possible, although there are lots of scam outfits that will sell you "repair kits". If it bothers you enough, replace with new, then film it.

todinlaw

+1 on the 3m film. I put that on my headlights before they got chipped. many Track days with no damage and real easy to clean.

Chris C.

Are you guys intalling the protective film yourself? The curve of the glass makes the install a PITA - lots of heating and stretching - personally I gave up!

(I'm only moderately mechanically inclined, but just don't get into tedious car projects anymore)

OldGuy

Chris I have never put clear bra on. I just pay to have it done. Really those guys under charge.
You should have seen the guy struggle to do the AMG. I paid 1000 and he worked about 10 hours!

todinlaw

I put my own film on the headlights. ordered the uncut stock from Griot's Garage, used a heat gun. easy.

pdobbs

I put the Lamin-X yellow protective film on my 996 headlights without an issue. They make clear and blue tint as well.

And while we're on the topic, does anyone know of a product that fills in windshield chips? Or will covering it with 3M film make it appear they are gone?

Many thanks

hesperus

thanks guys

i don't expect any product out there to return the lenses to "good as new" condition. just looking for something to minimize the "sandblasted" look.

cheers...

Premier

Replacing the headlamps would be quite pricey. At this point, it is just better to apply paint protection film over the lenses so that they do not get any worse over time.

manny_g

to answere the original question, I recomend that you pm rennlister "Wachuko" he is on the 996tt board. IIRC he wet sanded the head lights with real fine sanding paper than polished. they looked like new afterwards. good luck.

cole328

Same thing happened to my windshield after 2-3 heavy track days...no "chips," but hundreds of pin-***** spots that are agitating when driving toward the sun. I tried some Zaino AIO as a polish on the windshield, but that only worked so so. Any other recommendations? Luckily, my GEICO policy wiill replace the windshield for free, as Florida has a zero deductible on glass coverage, however, I have heard that replacing a windshield can be more of a headache than it is worth (e.g., leaks, windnoise, etc. ) Any advice appreciated.